The impact of occupational future time perspective on successful aging at work: an empirical study from the Chinese context

Purpose This study aimed to explore the effectiveness of occupational future time perspective (OFTP) on older employees' successful aging at work through knowledge seeking from younger colleagues and the moderation of this mediation by positive intergenerational affect. Design/methodology/approach This study employed hierarchical regression analysis on two-wave data collected from a sample of 393 full-time employees over 45 years from various companies in China. Findings OFTP positively impacts older employees' successful aging at work, partially through knowledge seeking from younger colleagues, and positive intergenerational affect moderated both the direct and indirect effects of OFTP on successful aging at work. Practical implications Organizations should foster positive attitudes towards future time among their older employees and cultivate an age-inclusive climate. Originality/value This study, which is based on socioemotional selectivity theory, reveals the mechanism through which the OFTP affects older employees' successful aging at work. The findings show that knowledge seeking from younger colleagues plays a crucial role in shaping this relationship. Furthermore, positive intergenerational affect moderates this mediating effect.